YouTube TV's Cloud DVR Records Automatically to Your Library
YouTube TV includes cloud storage for recordings at no extra cost. When you mark a show as saved, YouTube TV records new episodes automatically and stores them for up to nine months. You do not need to set up a separate DVR box or manage storage space on your device — the recordings live in the cloud and appear in your library.
The simplest way to record is to open a show or movie in the YouTube TV app or website, then tap or click the plus-sign icon next to the title. This saves the show to your library. If it is a series, YouTube TV will record all new episodes going forward. If it is a one-time broadcast, YouTube TV records that single airing.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the plus-sign icon next to any show or movie title to save it; YouTube TV records new episodes automatically for series.
- Saved shows appear in your Library tab, where you can watch them anytime within nine months of the original air date.
- You can remove a show from your library at any time, which stops future recordings for that series.
- Cloud DVR storage is included with your YouTube TV membership and does not count against any device storage limits.
Where to Find Your Recordings in the App or Website
Open YouTube TV and select the Library tab at the bottom of the screen (on mobile) or the left sidebar (on desktop). Your saved shows and movies appear here, organized by when you saved them. Tap or click any title to play it when ready.
Recordings stay in your library for nine months from their original air date. After that, YouTube TV removes them automatically. If you want to keep watching a show after nine months, you can save it again when it airs as a rerun, or purchase it through another service.
How to Save a Show While Watching Live TV
If you are watching a show live and want to record it, tap the screen to bring up the player controls. Look for the plus-sign icon and tap it. YouTube TV will record that episode and add it to your library. For series, this also sets up automatic recording of future episodes.
You can also save a show from the guide. Open the TV guide, find the show you want, and tap the plus-sign icon next to its name. The same rules explore: YouTube TV records it and, for series, sets up automatic future recordings.
Removing a Show from Your Library
Open your Library, find the show you no longer want to record, and tap or click the three-dot menu next to its title. Select "Remove from library." This stops YouTube TV from recording new episodes of that series. Episodes already recorded stay in your library until they expire after nine months.
Removing a show does not delete individual episodes you have already watched. You can still play them until they expire. If you change your mind later, you can save the show again and YouTube TV will resume recording new episodes.
Recording Limits and Storage
YouTube TV does not set a hard limit on how many shows you can save or how many hours you can record. However, if you save an extremely large number of titles, YouTube TV may remove older recordings sooner than nine months to make room. In practice, most users do not hit this threshold.
All recordings are stored in YouTube's cloud servers, not on your device. This means you can watch your recordings on any device where you sign into YouTube TV — phone, tablet, computer, or TV. Switching devices does not affect your library or your recordings.
What Happens If You Cancel YouTube TV
If you cancel your YouTube TV membership, you lose access to your library and all recordings when ready. You cannot read recordings to keep them after cancellation. If you plan to pause your membership temporarily, your library stays intact and you can resume watching when you resubscribe, as long as the recordings have not expired.
Some shows and movies may not be available to record due to licensing restrictions. If you try to save a title and see an error message, that program is not available for recording in your region or on your plan.
Recording Sports Games and Special Events
Sports games and live events work the same way as regular shows. Tap the plus-sign icon to save a game or event, and YouTube TV records it. You can watch the recording later without spoilers — YouTube TV does not show you the final score in the library or guide until you start playing the recording.
For recurring sports (like a team's season), saving the team or league name records all games going forward. This is useful if you want to catch up on games you missed without hunting through the guide each week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record multiple episodes of the same show at the same time?
Yes. If two episodes air simultaneously on different channels, YouTube TV records both. You can watch them in any order from your library. This is especially common during sports events or holiday marathons.
Do I need to do anything to start recording, or does it happen automatically?
You must tap the plus-sign icon to save a show first. YouTube TV does not record anything unless you explicitly save it. Once saved, future episodes record automatically with no additional action needed.
Can I watch a recording while it is still being recorded?
Yes. You can start watching a recording from your library before the live broadcast finishes. YouTube TV lets you watch from the beginning while the rest of the episode records in the background.
What if I want to record a show that airs in the middle of the night?
YouTube TV records it automatically at the scheduled time. You do not need to be awake or have the app open. The recording appears in your library the next time you open YouTube TV, ready to watch whenever you want.
Can I share my recordings with someone else on my account?
Anyone who signs into your YouTube TV account on their device can see and watch your library. However, recordings are tied to your account and cannot be transferred or shared with people outside your household who use a different YouTube TV account.